February 9, 2011
Proving the value of ancient woodland
In the last Briefing we highlighted the frustrations of a group in Embo as they tried to develop new forest crofts in some local woodland. While Scotland’s forest estate is not facing the threat of privatisation as it is south of the border, there is little room for complacency. Later this month, LPL supporter the Falkland Centre for Stewardship’s annual lecture will be given by the founder of the inspirational Hill Holt Wood. This will be worth listening to
At a time when our forests are under threat and business-as-usual is under the spotlight in all sectors, one of Britain’s most successful social entrepreneurs, has a good story to tell. Nigel Lowthrop set up Hill Holt Wood, a small (34ha) woodland in Lincolnshire, now home to a thriving social enterprise employing over 30 people. Hill Holt is managed in a traditional sense, as habitat (including ancient oak woodland) to be conserved, but also looking to the future, using the natural resources to achieve employment, education and learning goals – proving the value of ancient woodland for the 21st century. David Cameron visited Hill Holt while he was formulating his Big Society ideas when still in opposition. In his lecture, Nigel will ask what David Cameron’s ‘big idea’ of the Big Society really means. Is it a smokescreen for major cuts in government, or could it actually be that the opposite is true – that as a result of the economic crisis the real changes taking place are truly profound? Does ‘Big Society’ signal the end of business as we have known it for the past 100 years?
7th Annual Stewardship Lecture: Social Enterprise – the business of the future?
Wednesday 23rd February, 6pm to 9pm
At House of Falkland
This event is sponsored by the Forestry Commission Scotland, at a time that it is facing unprecedented cuts and threats to its own forest stewardship.
Price includes a supper of local food and a glass of organic wine.
Cost: £15 full price or £10 concession (Friends of Falkland’s Heritage, students, senior citizens etc).